System and method for searching, writing, editing, and publishing waveform shape information

ABSTRACT

System and method are provided for searching, writing, editing, and publishing waveform shape information. The system comprises a display module configured for displaying a waveform shape defined by a plurality of breakpoints, each breakpoint comprising a pair of coordinates xValue, yValue and an interpolation value iValue; a control module configured for displaying customer-adjustable waveform shape parameters through the display module, the customer-adjustable parameters including the xValue, yValue, and iValue of the breakpoints; and a shape editor configured for receiving the customer-adjustable parameters and editing the waveform shape in response to the received parameters. The method comprises displaying a waveform shape defined by a plurality of breakpoints; displaying customer-adjustable waveform shape parameters through a display module; and receiving the customer-adjustable parameters and editing the waveform shape in response to the received parameters.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application is a divisional application of, and claims thebenefit of, commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 10,140,316, entitled SYSTEM ANDMETHOD FOR SEARCHING, WRITING, EDITING, AND PUBLISHING WAVEFORM SHAPEINFORMATION, issued on Nov. 27, 2018, which patent is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The present application is related to commonly-owned and co-pending U.S.application Ser. Nos. 16/164,321, 16/164,334, and 16/164,359,commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 11,106,725 issued on Aug. 31, 2021, andcommonly-owned and co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 16/164,388, allentitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEARCHING, WRITING, EDITING, ANDPUBLISHING WAVEFORM SHAPE INFORMATION, and all filed on the filing datehereof, which applications and patent are incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

The present application is also related to commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No.9,489,345, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PRODUCTS ANDLOCATIONS, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,578, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FORGENERATING A SERIES OF WAVEFORM DEFINITIONS, which patents areincorporated by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains generally to the generation of waveformsand, in particular, to a system and method for generating waveforminformation defined by a set of parameters.

BACKGROUND ART

When signals are received, transmitted, or processed, they are oftenrepresented as electromagnetic waveforms. Many products are availablefor processing such signals, and it is common practice to transformbetween domains of frequency and time, or frequency and space, toachieve desired results. In particular, an electrocardiograph monitorselectrical signals produced by a beating heart. Other products monitorlight waves transmitted in an optical fiber and others monitor the powertransmitted in a wire.

Monitors may also compare the received waveform signals with definedwaveforms and produce a desired result when an abnormal waveform isdetected. For example, an implanted cardiac pacer may produce astimulating pulse when it detects a heart arrhythmia.

It will be appreciated that a waveform signal monitor that does notfunction properly may cause serious consequences. Therefore, a varietyof signal generator products such as arbitrary waveform generators andsimulators have been developed to test waveform signal monitors bygenerating waveform signals that simulate real-world signals that areexpected to be monitored.

A typical waveform signal generator may contain several digitizedwaveforms in non-volatile memory. Upon a request, a digitized waveformis recalled from memory and processed through a digital/analogconvertor. The resulting analog waveform signal then is sent to themonitor that is being tested. The monitor's response to a known waveformor series of waveforms can then be observed.

The specific waveforms will vary according to the anticipated use of thewaveform generator or simulator. For example, a simulator for use with acardiac pacer or electrocardiograph may contain an R-wave and severalcommon arrhythmia waveforms. A simulator for use with an optical fibertransmission monitor may contain backscatter waveforms associated withseveral common imperfections in the fiber.

Modern Signal Generators typically contain a variety of waveform shapesand have access to many more from remote sources. Regardless of themethod by which digitized waveforms are provided, there remains theproblem of finding, defining, or otherwise creating shapes for thewaveforms to be provided. However, it seems that there is no systemizedmethod by which new, uncommon, or previously non-existent waveforms areorganized and published for waveform signal generators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and method are provided for searching, writing, editing, andpublishing waveform shape information in the form of books and waveformdata files. A waveform shape may be defined from customer-inputparameters. A family of shapes may also be defined that are related byone or more parameter values that change in a predetermined fashion.Once defined, the shape or shapes may be edited and published, such asto a data file. A customer may also perform a search for waveform shapesthat have certain characteristics based on one or more input parametervalues.

Customers and other users may find several features particularly usefulin helping them turn an idea or sketch of a waveform shape into a largecollection where similar but different shapes are illustrated inlocations identified by Book, Page, Row, and Column. For example, a usermay have a general idea for a waveform shape, or almost any other shape,represented by a rough preliminary drawing or, perhaps, a few typedcharacters. Using embodiments of the present invention, the user can getan entire book of shapes from almost any string of characters or from afew selected points representing their graphical sketch.

As an example, the process may begin with an entry of a search term suchas “kuak” from which a search module displays several illustrations ofshapes interpreted from the search term. If any of the shapes seeminteresting, with just a few clicks the user can use the data term as aseed for growing a book of many shapes.

More specifically, but without in any way limiting the scope of theclaims, the search term “kuak” may be interpreted as four equally spacedpoints on an x-y graph, each point having an amplitude identified by thefour letters that represent decimal numbers “10 20 0 10,” where k=10,u=20, and a=0. Similarly, twenty-six decimal integers from 0 to 25 arerepresented by letters “a to z,” and for many sketches this is enough.Twenty-six more integers may be obtained by using upper case letters “Ato Z”. As a result, decimal integers from 0 to 51 can be represented bysingle character alphabetic letters.

Representing decimal integers with single characters is a useful conceptfor human users for a variety of reasons. For example, it simplifies theprocess of representing a sequence of points having variable distancesbetween them. Consider a transition from the codes “kuak” to “k2u5a3k”or “k20u50a30k” or “k200u500a300k” as a convenient way to convert thesketchy idea of “kuak” to a more application-refined shape having 4significant points called break points with a distance of 200 units fromfirst to second, 500 to the next, and 300 to the next, for a totaldistance of 1000 units from the first point to the fourth point. Thesecodes are called xyValues where yValues are represented by thealphabetic characters and xValues are represented by the decimalnumbers. Consequently, a shape may be illustrated by plotting the breakpoints defined by the xyValues and connecting from one break point tothe next using a path defined by an interpolation method represented byan iValue.

Using an illustrated shape value as a seed, a sequence of shapes for abook may be built by defining a mixed base that specifies the number ofstates for each member of the shape code. For example, if x and i areheld constant and the number of states is set to 6 for each member ofthe yCode, the yBase is [6 6 6 6] which produces 6×6×6×6=1296 shapeswhich can be arranged in a variety of ways ranging from 1296 pages of 1row and 1 column each to 1 page of any combination in whichRows×Columns=1296.

To limit the number of shapes to be represented in books of shapes, thenumber of states assigned to a given parameter can be reduced to provideany desired number of shapes. For example, a yValue having 10 breakpoints with 4 breaks assigned 10 states and 6 breaks assigned 1 state,the total number of shapes would be 10×10×10×10=10,000, which mapsconveniently to 100 pages of 10 rows and 10 columns each.

Using embodiments of the system and methods of the present invention, alarge number of shapes similar to one of interest may be quicklyproduced for users to review and benefit.

In one embodiment, a system is provided for generating a shape data filefrom an entered search term, comprising: a processor and a memoryconfigured to store instructions executable by the processor. The memorycomprises: a shape value generation module for generating one or moreshape values and a data file generation module, comprising instructionsfor converting the one or more shape values into a wave shape data fileformat exportable to the customer. The system further comprises anetwork input/output interface coupled to the processor and the memorythrough which the customer accesses the shape generation module.

In another embodiment, a method is provided for representing arelationship between a shape attribute instance and a related locationattribute instance, comprising: providing a first shape code comprisingat least one character in each of at least one corresponding position;providing a shape attribute instance, the at least one position in theshape code including at least a first position representative of thefirst shape attribute instance; providing a location attribute instance;designating a predetermined character representing the locationattribute instance; and inserting into the first position thepredetermined character, the predetermined character representing arelationship between the first shape attribute instance and the locationattribute instance.

In a third embodiment, a system is provided for generating wave shapesfrom entered parameters, comprising: a processor and a memory configuredto store instructions executable by the processor. The memory comprises:a shape writer module comprising instructions for receiving one or moreshape values entered by a customer; and a data file generation modulecomprising instructions for converting the one or more shape values intoa wave shape data file format exportable to the customer. The systemfurther comprises a network input/output interface coupled to theprocessor and the memory through which the customer accesses the shapewriter module.

In a fourth embodiment, a system is provided for generating wave shapesfrom entered parameters, comprising: a processor and a memory configuredto store instructions executable by the processor. The memory comprises:a wave editor module comprising instructions for displaying a selectedwave shape, receiving parameters entered by a customer, and editing thewave shape in accordance with the entered parameters; and a data filegeneration module comprising instructions for converting the edited waveshape into a wave shape data file format exportable to the customer. Thesystem further comprises a network input/output interface coupled to theprocessor and the memory through which the customer accesses the shapeeditor module.

In a fifth embodiment, a system is provided for generating wave shapesfrom entered parameters, comprising: a processor and a memory configuredto store instructions executable by the processor. The memory comprises:a wave page module comprising instructions for displaying a page ofgenerated wave shapes, each wave shape being defined by a location in abook of wave shapes; and a data file generation module comprisinginstructions for converting the one or more wave shapes into a waveshape data file format exportable to the customer. The system furthercomprises a network input/output interface coupled to the processor andthe memory through which the customer accesses the wave page module.

In a sixth embodiment, a system is provided for generating a shape datafile from a search term, the system comprising: a processor and a memoryto store instructions executable by the processor. The memory comprises:a shape value generation module for receiving a search term andconverting the search term into a shape value; and a data filegeneration module for converting the shape value into a shape data file.

In a seventh embodiment, a system is provided for providing a shape datafile from a search term, the system comprising: an interpreter forproviding a shape value from a received search term; a value V1 and avalue V2; and a data file generator to provide the shape data file fromthe shape value, the number of samples, a number of bits, the value V1and a value V2.

In an eighth embodiment, a system is provided for providing a shapeillustration from a received data term, the system comprising: a shapewriter module for interpreting a shape value from a received data termand generating a shape illustration from the shape value.

In a ninth embodiment, a system is provided for illustrating arelationship between a shape code member and a location code member, thesystem comprising: a shape code comprising a shape code member; alocation code representing the shape code and comprising a location codemember; and a generator for replacing the shape code member with apredetermined character identifying the location code member.

In a tenth embodiment, a system is provided for providing a shape datafile from a shape sketch, the system comprising: a processor programmedwith instructions for identifying a shape value from a shape sketch; anda data file generation module for providing a shape data file from theshape value.

In a eleventh embodiment, a system is provided for providing a book ofshape illustrations from a search term, the system comprising: aninterpreter for providing a shape code from a search term; a providerfor providing a shape code base defining a number of states for eachmember of the shape code base; and a sequence provider for providing asequence of shape values from the shape code base, the maximum number ofshape values being equal to the multiplicative product of the members ofthe shape code base.

In a twelfth embodiment, a system is provided for providing a sequenceof shape values, the system comprising: a sequence provider forproviding a sequence of differing digit arrays in which each digit arrayin the sequence has the same number of elements and the same sum of theelements; and a shape value provider for providing shape values havingxValues, the xValues of each shape value being equal to one of the digitarrays generated from the sequence provider; whereby: all of the shapevalues have an equal number of break points; and each shape value has adifferent interval width between successive break points.

In a thirteenth embodiment, a system is provided for providing asequence of shape values, the system comprising: a sequence provider forproviding a sequence of differing digit arrays in which each digit arrayin the sequence has the same number of elements and the same average ofvalues of the element; and a shape value provider for providing shapevalues having yValues, the yValues of each shape value being equal toone of the digit arrays generated from the sequence provider; whereby:all of the shape values have an equal number of break points; and eachshape value has a different yValue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a system for the generation and purchaseof waveform shape information;

FIG. 1B illustrates the cooperative and independent interactiverelations between Search, Write, Edit, and Publish modules.

FIG. 2 is a screen shot of a search page of an internet web siteproviding wave shapes before search criteria have been entered;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a process by which wave shapes are generatedin the system of FIG. 1 based on an entered search term;

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the search module in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C are screen shots of the search page of FIG. 2 showingwave shapes generated after search criteria have been entered;

FIG. 6 is a screen shot of a wave editor page linked from the searchmodule of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the wave editor module in FIG.1;

FIG. 8A is a screen shot of a wave page linked from the search module ofFIG.

FIG. 8B is a screen shot of the first page of a book of which the wavepages of FIGS. 8A and 8C are a part;

FIG. 8C is a screen shot of the last page of the book of which the wavepages of FIGS. 8A and 8B are a part;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method of generating a page of shapes;

FIG. 10 is a screen shot of a shape writer page linked from the searchmodule of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the shape writer module in FIG.1;

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the wave book module in FIG. 1;and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method of generating an array of code valueshaving equal sums; and

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Definitions

To aid in understanding the present invention, the following list ofterms and their meanings is included. The meaning of the terms, as setforth below, is the intended meaning whenever the term is used herein,unless another meaning is believed to be clear from the context.

Alpha Digit: Any one of the fifty-two upper and lower case letters inthe English alphabet used to represent integers from zero throughfifty-one where the lower case letters “a” through “z” represent zerothrough twenty-five and the upper case letters “A” through “Z” representthe numbers twenty-six through fifty-one. Used to represent digits innumbers having number bases up to fifty-two (see TABLE I, Digit,Negative Alpha Numeral).

TABLE I Relations Between Alphabetic Symbols and Positive and NegativeDecimal Numerals UPPER CASE LOWER CASE Alternate Alternate AlphaPositive Alpha Positive Negative Symbol Decimal Symbol Decimal Decimal a0 A 26 0 b 1 B 27 −1 c 2 C 28 −2 d 3 D 29 −3 e 4 E 30 −4 f 5 F 31 −5 g 6G 32 −6 h 7 H 33 −7 i 8 I 34 −8 j 9 J 35 −9 k 10 K 36 −10 l 11 L 37 −11m 12 M 38 −12 n 13 N 39 −13 o 14 O 40 −14 p 15 P 41 −15 q 16 Q 42 −16 r17 R 43 −17 s 18 S 44 −18 t 19 T 45 −19 u 20 U 46 −20 v 21 V 47 −21 w 22W 48 −22 x 23 X 49 −23 y 24 Y 50 −24 z 25 Z 51 −25

Alpha Numeral: One or more alpha digits used in representing numbershaving bases up to fifty-two (see Alpha Digit, Negative Alpha Numeral).

Attribute: A characteristic, property, specification, or component partof a product used by a product provider along with system providedinformation to provide a product.

Attribute Instance: A particular case of an attribute. For example,consider a shape defined in an x-y plane by a set of N points; eachpoint is defined by an attribute instance of the attributes x and y,where x and y represent the coordinates of the points. There are Ninstances of each attribute represented by x(1:N) and y(1:N). Thenotation x(1:N) means the same as: x(1), x(2), . . . x(N). The notation(1:N) is read as “1 to N” and means 1, 2, . . . , N.

Base: (see Number Base).

Book: A group or collection of one or more pages that may includeillustrations, words, symbols, and coded instructions. Used to representa structure in which locations are identified by sub-structuresrepresented by parameters such as page, row, and column.

Book Code: A code used to provide one or more books.

Catalog: A list or record of the contents of a book, a library or agroup of libraries arranged according to a specified system.

Code: An array or subscripted variable that represents information usedto identify and provide products. A product code has four types ofrelated meanings; namely, code attribute, code base, code index, andcode value.

Code Attribute: A code that represents attribute instances used toidentify and provide products.

Code Base: A code that defines the number of states for each member of acode attribute. Each member of a code base is an integer greater thanzero.

Code Index: An integer provided from a code base that provides asequence of consecutive indexes from zero to a number one less than thebase. Alternate meanings may be useful, such as specifying a minimumindex other than zero to provide a maximum index equal to the minimumindex plus the base minus one.

Specifying a minimum index other than zero is generally avoided hereinbecause of the complications it causes, particularly in convertingnumber representations in one number base to a different base.

Code Value: A number provided from an index by an index to value controlfunction and which provides an index from a value to index controlfunction. A code value is a number used most directly by a productprovider to provide a product.

Control Function: Used for converting an Index to a Value, the inverseof which converts a Value to an Index. Typically, each Code member willhave a separate control function for the conversion; thus, a Productcode with six members will have six independent control functions. Oftenthe control function are of the linear form Value=Slope*Index+FirstValue, and for Slope not equal to zero, the inverse control function is:Index=(Value−First Value)/Slope.

Decimal Digit: One of the ten characters 0, 1, 2, . . . , 9 used inrepresenting decimal numbers and other numbers having a base less thanten.

Decimal Numeral: One or more decimal digits used to represent numbers inthe decimal number system (see Alpha Numeral).

Digit: A symbol, generally a single character, used in representingnumbers. In the decimal system, ten characters are used: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. For number systems requiring more than ten uniquedigits, it is common to define more single character symbols. For numberbases larger than about fifty, the advantage of single character symbolsto represent digits is decreased by the difficulty of learning symbolsnot commonly associated with number representations. The decimal systemis convenient for defining multi-symbol digits because it is so easy todetermine the name and number represented by decimal numbers. Forexample, rather than define a single symbol for a digit that represents“one-hundred-seven”, it is easier to define the decimal equivalentmulti-character symbol “107”, and use it as a digit in any number basegreater than “one-hundred-seven” (see Alpha Digit, Decimal Digit).

FSy: Also yFS, an abbreviation for “full scale value of y.”

Index: An integer provided from a number base. Unless otherwisespecified herein, an index ranges from a minimum integer of zero to amaximum integer of base minus one.

iCode: A code used to provide an interpolation method. Abbreviation forInterpolation Code (see Interpolation, Interpolation Code).

Index Label: A label that identifies an index.

Interpolation: A process used to define, estimate or find intermediatevalues for terms between terms having known values. Also, used to definea path from one point to a next point (see iCode).

Interpolation Code: A code used to provide an interpolation method.Interpolation is used for determining undefined points between pointsdefined in a Shape Code. An iCode defines the interpolation method usedto determine the path to be taken from a defined point to the nextpoint, even when the next point is not yet defined. The interpolationmethod may vary between sequences of shapes, between shapes within asequence, and between break points in the same shape (see iCode,Interpolation).

Library: A location or place containing books, products, recordings,computer software, or other items arranged and cataloged in a specifiedway.

Location: A special kind of product where a product is or could belocated.

Locations are commonly identified by coordinates representing placessuch as country, state, city, street, avenue, building, library, floor,cabinet, shelf, book, page, row, column, cell, etc. Locations may alsobe identified by position in computer memory devices.

Location Code: A code used to provide a location.

Mixed Base Number. A multi-position number where the number base of eachposition is independent of the base defined for other positions (seeNumber Base, Number Representation).

Negative Alpha Numeral: An alternate Alpha Numeral for representingnegative numbers with upper case letters from the English alphabet. “A”through “Z” are used to represent zero through negative twenty-five.Helpful in avoiding minus signs in code values (see TABLE I and AlphaNumeral).

Number Base: The number of digits available for each position of apositional number system. Each digit represents a unique state. The Basefor a position in a number is equal to the number of states for thatposition. TABLE II lists representations of some decimal numbers inother number bases. In a mixed base system, each position of the numberhas a number of digits independent of the number of digits in otherpositions (see Digit, Number Representation).

Number Name: The English language name of a number, such as one, two,ten, one hundred, etc. A number's name is independent of therepresentation of the number (see Number Representation).

TABLE II Representations of some Decimal Numbers in other Number Bases.Decimal Alphabetic Binary Octal Mix Base Ten Twenty Six Two Eight [2 1 33] 0 a 0000 0 0000 1 b 0001 1 0001 2 c 0010 2 0002 3 d 0011 3 0010 4 e0100 4 0011 5 f 0101 5 0012 6 g 0110 6 0020 7 h 0111 7 0021 8 i 1000 100022 9 j 1001 11 1000 10 k 1010 12 1001 11 l 1011 13 1002 12 m 1100 141010 13 n 1101 15 1011 14 o 1110 16 1012 15 p 1111 17 1020 16 q 10000 201021 17 r 10001 21 1022

Number Representation: One or more symbols or signals used to representa number. The number “five” is represented by the decimal digit “5,” bythe alpha digit “f,” and by the binary numeral “101.” In positionalnumber systems, numbers are represented by predefined digits and numberbases. Some representations of the number fourteen are:

-   -   “14” in decimal from (1*10+4*1)    -   “1110” in binary from (1*8+1*4+1*2+0*1)    -   “E” in hexadecimal by digit definition.    -   “o” in Lower Case Alpha Digits by digit definition.    -   “24” in Base Five from (2*5+).    -   “4002” in Mixed Base“5 1 1 3” from (4*3+0*3+0*3+2*1) or by        noticing that the number is the maximum for the Base and, thus,        is one less than the maximum of fifteen (5*1*1*3) unique numbers        for the Base.

Numeral: One or more symbols used to represent a number. The number fouris represented by the binary numeral “100,” the decimal digit “4,” thealpha digit “e,” and the Roman numeral “IV.” A single symbol numeral,usually a digit, represents the number predefined for that symbol. Amulti-symbol numeral represents a number defined by a predefined numberbase (mixed or conventional) and predefined digit symbols (see NumberRepresentation).

Page Code: A code used to provide a page.

Product: An item that is received, produced or provided includingarticles of manufacture, items, shapes, books, waveforms, locations,locations for other products, etc.

Product File: A sequence of numbers used to produce products defined bythe numbers.

Rows: Plural of row and also an abbreviation that means “number ofrows.” For example, the statement: Rows=11, means “the number of rowsequals eleven.”

Sequence: An ordered succession of one or more items that are identifiedby consecutive integers.

Shape: Something such as a mold or pattern used to give or determineform.

Shape Code: A code used to provide a shape.

Shape File: A sequence of numbers used to produce products having shapesdefined by the numbers (see Product File).

Signal: Anything that conveys information.

Signal Generator. A product that generates signals according to controlsettings or commands. Examples include physiological signal simulators,arbitrary waveform generators (AWG), arbitrary function generators,arbitrary signal generators, and function generators.

Sketch: A preliminary draft prepared with the intention of showing someessential features without all the details, such as a rough figure or afew words or symbols.

Sub Code: Members of a code corresponding to a common attribute, such asxCode, yCode, zCode, iCode, Row Code, Column Code, Page Code, Book Code,etc.

Value Label: A label that identifies values.

Waveform: A graph or illustration obtained by plotting values of onequantity against another quantity, and sometimes refers to an electricalsignal and may mean the same thing.

xCode: A code used to provide x-coordinates.

xLabel: A label used to identify parameters related to “x.”

xyCode: A combination of an xCode and a yCode in a merged member format,i.e. “x₁ y₁ x₂ y₂ . . . x_(N) y_(N),” where x and y are used to providex-y coordinates.

xValue: xCode members representing value information for the xcoordinate attribute of a shape.

yFormat: Defines location control parameters for each position of theyCode.

yCode: A code used to provide y-coordinates.

yIndex: A yCode member representing index information for the ycoordinate attribute of a shape.

yLabel: A label used to identify parameters related to “y.”

yValue: A yCode member representing value information for the ycoordinate attribute of a shape.

zCode: A code used to provide z-coordinates.

zIndex: A zCode member representing index information for the zcoordinate attribute of a shape.

zValue: A zCode member representing value information for the zcoordinate attribute of a shape.

The described features, structures, or characteristics of the inventionmay be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Inthe following description, numerous specific details are provided toprovide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. Oneskilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the inventioncan be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or withother methods, components and so forth. In other instances, well-knownstructures, materials, or operations are not shown or described indetail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

The present invention provides a method and system for generating andproviding wave shapes and books of wave shapes on a custom basis. Ablock diagram of such a system 100 is illustrated in FIG. 1A andincludes a processor 102, a network input/output interface 104, a memory150, a connecting bus 106, and may include one or more operationalmodules. It will be appreciated that the system 100 may include othercomponents, such as input devices and a display. The network interface104 permits the system 100 to be accessed remotely, such as through theinternet 20, by customers 10 using computers. Preferably, the system 100provides a secure login feature for the customers 10.

Stored in the memory 150 are instructions to be executed by theprocessor 102. The modules may be implemented in circuitry or as sets ofinstructions. The modules may include one or more of a search module400, a shape generation module 300, a wave page module 500, a waveeditor module 600, a shape writer module 700, a data file generationmodule 800, a wave book module 900, and a publication module 1000, amongothers, coupled to each other through the bus 106.

The modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000 may containinstructions that are called and executed by the processor 102 when acustomer 10 logs in and uses different features of the system 100. Theoutputs of each of the search, edit, write, and publish modules 400,600, 700, 1000, respectively, are interconnected with the inputs of eachof the other module through the bus 106. Similarly, the inputs of eachof the search, edit, write, and publish modules 400, 600, 700, 1000,respectively, are interconnected with the outputs of each of the othermodule through the bus 106. More specifically, the publication module1000 may coordinate the output from any of the other modules and presentit to the user 10 in a user-specified format. Further, while the system100 may include fewer than all of the modules 300, 400, 500, 600, 700,800, 900, 1000, and while any of the search, edit, write, and publishmodules 400, 600, 700, 1000, respectively, may function independent ofthe others, the synergistic interaction among the those modules providesa more comprehensive and integrated system 100, illustrated graphicallyin FIG. 1B.

When a customer 10 logs in to the system 100, a home page 200, such asillustrated in the screen shot of FIG. 2, is transmitted to thecustomer's computer. A number of available options are displayed to acustomer 10. The customer may select from a number of side tabs and godirectly to a page displaying the customer's saved shapes 202, a pagedisplaying the customer's saved wave pages 204, or a page displaying thecustomer's saved shape writer pages 206. The customer may also select atab 700A and go directly to the shape writer module 700 (FIG. 10) anddefine a shape, break point by break point. Alternatively, the customermay enter a search term or search parameters into an entry block 300Aand, based on the entry, the search module 400 will generate a shapevalue. As will be described, a shape may be defined by a “shape value”which includes a set of break points, each consisting of threeassociated values: x and y coordinates with an interpolation methodidentified by an iValue. The customer may also select a tab 500A and goto the wave page module 500 or select a tab 600A and go to the waveeditor module 600. The customer may also view any items selected forpurchase by selecting a tab 1100A and go to a shopping cart.

Referring to the flow chart of FIG. 3, the search term entered by thecustomer (step 302) may be processed by a search algorithm. If thesearch term is delimited by semi-colons, the delimited parts may beprocessed as separate search terms (step 304). Thus, hereinafter thephrase “search term” will be used to refer to any search term, whetherit is an originally-entered search term or is a delimited part of anoriginally-entered search term. If the search term contains an “=” (step306), the term undergoes key word/value processing (step 308) todetermine whether valid keywords are present (step 310). Such keywordsmay include “xPRC,” “yPRC,” “iPRC,” “xyPRC,” “xiPRC,” “yiPRC,” “xBook,”“yBook,” “iBook,” “xyBook,” “xiBook,” and “yiBook.” A wave page may thenbe presented to the customer and displayed (step 312).

If, on the other hand, the search term does not contain an “=” (step306), the search term is parsed or processed by removing all charactersthat are not decimal numbers, letters, commas, or spaces althoughleading and trailing spaces may also be removed (step 314). The goal ofthe subsequent decisions is to determine the format of the search termso that an appropriate process may be applied to the search term togenerate a representative wave shape. First, a determination is made asto whether there are any commas or any non-leading or non-trailingspaces in the parsed search term or string (step 316). If not, adetermination is made as to whether the parsed search term or stringcontains only decimal numbers (step 318). If so, each individual decimalnumber is considered to be a yValue. The xValues and iValues aredefaulted to predefined values (step 320). For example, an xValue maydefault to 1, or to the preceding xValue. Similarly, an iValue maydefault to a linear interpolation method or to the preceding iValue.Each set consisting of an xValue and an associated yValue represents the“x” and “y” coordinates of a breakpoint of a shape. An iValue isassociated with an [xValue, yValue] set and represents an interpolationmethod by which a path is generated from one break point to the next ofthe wave shape.

Interpolation methods that may be selected by the customer may includeone or more of the following methods:

-   -   0. a) “None”: No interpolation between the first and next break        point,    -   1. b) “Linear”: Linear interpolation between the first and next        break point.    -   2. c) “Step Function”: Vertical line from the first breakpoint        to the y coordinate of the next break point followed by a        horizontal line to the next break point.    -   3. d) “Step Next Function”: Horizontal line from the first        breakpoint to the x coordinate of the next break point followed        by a vertical line to the next break point.    -   4. e) “Sine 90Z”: interpolation path following 90 degrees of a        sine wave with the first breakpoint at zero slope,    -   5. f) “Sine 90Z Next”: Interpolation path following 90 degrees        of a sine wave with the next breakpoint at zero slope.    -   6. g) “Sine 180Z”: Interpolation path following 180 degrees of a        sine wave with zero slope at both the first and next breakpoint.    -   7. h) “Sine Line Min”: The sum of a linear line and sine wave.        The amplitude of the added sine wave is one that provides a        single point of zero slope on the line from the first breakpoint        to the next.    -   8. i) “Sine line Max”: The sum of a linear line and sine wave.        The amplitude of the added sine wave is one which provides a        minimum and maximum amplitude within the bounds of a rectangle        defined by the first and next breakpoint.    -   9. j) “EZ”: Interpolation path following one quarter of an        ellipse with the first breakpoint at zero slope.    -   10. k) “EZ Next”: Interpolation path following one quarter of an        ellipse with the next breakpoint at zero slope.    -   11. l) “E180Z”: Interpolation path following 2 quarters of an        ellipse with the second quarter of the ellipse reflected across        the y axis with both the first and next breakpoint at zero        slope.    -   12. m) “E180I”: Interpolation path following 2 quarters of an        ellipse with the second quarter of the ellipse reflected across        the x axis with both the first and next breakpoint at infinite        slope.    -   27. B) “Rectangle”: Two channel interpolation path with both the        first and next breakpoint at vertices of a rectangle.    -   28. C) “Right Triangle”: Two channel interpolation path with        both the first and next breakpoint at acute vertices of a right        triangle and the right angle vertex at the x coordinate of the        first breakpoint and the y coordinate of the next breakpoint.    -   29. O) “Right Triangle Next”: Two channel interpolation path        with both the first and next breakpoint at acute vertices of a        right triangle and the right angle vertex at the x coordinate of        the next breakpoint and the y coordinate of the first        breakpoint.    -   30. E) “Isosceles Triangle H”: Two channel interpolation where        the first breakpoint is one vertex of an isosceles triangle and        one side of the isosceles triangle is a horizontal line from the        first breakpoint to the x coordinate of the next breakpoint.    -   31. F) “Isosceles Triangle V”: Two channel interpolation where        the first breakpoint is one vertex of an isosceles triangle and        one side of the isosceles triangle is a vertical line from the        first breakpoint to the y coordinate of the next breakpoint.    -   32. G) “Ellipse”: Two channel interpolation path where both the        first and next breakpoint are vertices of a rectangle that bound        a drawn ellipse.

If the string contains any character other than decimal numbers (step318), a determination is made as to whether it presents a pattern thatis exactly “[N] AANAA . . . NAA”, where each “N” represents a decimaldigit and each “A” represents an alpha character (step 322). If so, thestring is considered to be in the format of “xyi” (step 324). Otherwise,it is assumed that the string has the format “xy” in which iValues andomitted xValues are defaulted (step 326).

Returning to the decision at step 316, if the string does contain commasor internal spaces, another decision is made as to whether it containsany commas (step 328). If so, the string is considered to be delimitedby commas (step 330). If each delimited part or value is numeric (step332), the delimited values represent yValues, and the xValues andiValues are defaulted (step 334). If not all delimited values arenumeric (step 332), a determination is made as to whether there is oneand only one comma in the delimited value (step 336). If so, a nextdetermination is made as to whether there are spaces in the first partof the delimited value (step 338). If not, a determination is made as towhether the first part of the delimited value is all letters or numbers(step 340). If so, the format is considered to be “y,i” (step 342);otherwise, the format is assumed to be “xy,i” (step 344). If, atdetermination step 336, it is determined that there are spaces in thefirst part of the delimited value, a further determination is made as towhether the first part is all numeric values (step 346). If so, thefirst part is considered to comprise delimited yValues (step 348).Otherwise, the format is considered to be “xy” for each delimited value;iValues and omitted xValues and yValues are defaulted (step 350).

It will be appreciated that other characters or symbols may be usedinstead of the equals sign, commas, and spaces within a search term.

If, at step 336, it is determined that there is not one and only onecomma (that is, that there is more than one comma) in the delimitedvalue, a determination is made as to whether there are two commas (step352); if so, the format is considered to be “x,y,i” (step 354).Otherwise, a further determination is made as to whether each delimitedvalue contains all letters (step 356). If so, each character of eachdelimited value is considered to represent a yValue while xValues andiValues are defaulted (step 358). Otherwise, each delimited value isconsidered to be in an “xy” format, with iValues and omitted xValues andomitted yValues being defaulted (step 360).

Returning to the decision at step 328, if the search term does notcontain any commas, the search term is deemed to be delimited by spaces(step 362) and determination is made as to whether each space-delimitedvalue is numeric (step 364). If so, the delimited values representyValues with xValues and iValues being defaulted (step 366). If eachspace-delimited value is not numeric, a further determination is made asto whether each is all alpha characters (step 368). If so, eachcharacter of each delimited value represents a yValue with the xValuesand iValues being defaulted (step 370). Finally, if each space-delimitedvalue is not all letters (step (368), it is considered that the searchterm has an “xy” format and iValues and omitted xValues and yValues aredefaulted (step 372).

After the format of the search term has been determined, the shapegeneration module 300 generates shape values, each being a set of anxValue, a yValue, and an iValue and makes a representation of a shapefrom the shape value available to be displayed. FIG. 4 illustratesoptions that may be available to the user after the search term has beenprocessed.

If the customer has entered a search term and an initial shape value hasbeen generated, a representation of the initial shape value may beplotted and displayed on the search page along with variations in whichone or more parameters in the initial shape value are changed (FIGS.5A-5C, in which only the iValues are changed). In the exampleillustrated in the FIGs., the search parameter “cardio” was entered andused to provide the yValue for the shape value. The customer selects anyone of the displayed shapes and may go to a page of shapes (FIG. 8A), goto a wave editor page (FIG. 7), or go to the wave book module 900. Thecustomer may also choose to save the shape value for later reference orplace the shape in a shopping cart for purchase.

It may be desirable that the xValues and yValues be integers andgenerating the minimum form of a set of xValues and yValues providesfurther benefits, such as convenient scaling. For example, where x=[0 25 3], the width w=Sum(x)=10. When x is scaled by a factor of k for theinterval between break points, xFile=k*x (where k equals an integergreater than 0). Thus, as shown in TABLE III:wFile=Sum(xFile)=(0+2*k+5*k+3*k)=10*k

TABLE III Scaling Factors k xFile = k * x wFile = Sum(xFile) 1 0 2 5 310 2 0 4 10 6 20 5 0 10 25 15 50 10 0 20 50 30 100 100 0 200 500 3001000 1000 0 2000 5000 3000 10000

It is preferable to begin scaling of the sets of xValue and yValue fromthe minimum form; that is, where the xFile contains no common factors ofthe xValues (other than 1). Indications that a set is in the minimumform include the set containing a 1 or containing at least two differentprime numbers. Where an xFile does contain a common factor, the valuesin the set may be converted to the minimum form by dividing each valueby the common factor. This may be performed as many times as necessaryuntil there is no common factor. For example:

TABLE IV Any Common Factors xValue (Other than 1) Minimum Form [0 2 5 3]NO [0 2 5 3] [0 2 10 6] YES ½ xValue = [0 1 5 3] [0 25 10 40] YES ⅕xValue = [0 5 2 8] [0 6 15 25] NO [0 6 15 25]

To provide integer yFileValues, it is convenient to use the relation:YFileValue=c*yValue*2{circumflex over ( )}(Bits−m)where c is an integer equal to V2/FSy and m is selected so thatV2<2{circumflex over ( )}m.

Selections of V2=1000, and m=10 work well for FSy equal to a factor of1000 and for a number of bits from 8 to 16. For example, whenyValue=FSy, Bits=10, and m=10, the relation providesyFileValue=V2*2{circumflex over ( )}0=1000. For 8 bits, 12 bits, 14 bitsand 16 bits, the yFileValues are 250, 4000, 16000, and 64,000. IfV2=10{circumflex over ( )}6 and m=20, the yFileValues for 16, 18, 20,and 22 bits are 62,500 250,000, 1,000,000, 4,000,000. It should beunderstood that for this example, a value V1=0 is assumed and it doesn'tappear in the yFileValue relation. If V1 is not zero, V2 is replaced inthe relation by V2−V1.

If the customer chooses to edit the selected shape value and select thewave edit tab 600A, a representation of the selected shape value isdisplayed (FIG. 6). To edit the shape, the customer may display the xand y coordinates of a point by selecting the point, move a pointmanually by dragging the point to a new set of coordinates, delete apoint, add a new point by selecting the location of the desired newpoint, and change the full x and y scales of the display. The customermay also change the interpolation method used to generate the path fromone break point to the next. Available interpolation methods aredisplayed in boxes above the displayed shape with the method used togenerate the path between a selected point and the next point beinghighlighted. To change the interpolation method from one break point tothe next, the customer may select a different box. When the customer hascompleted the editing, the customer may save the shape value, print aplot of the shape value, send the shape value to the shopping cart forpurchase, or go to the wave page to view a page or book of related shapevalue plots. FIG. 7 illustrates options that may be available to theuser after the shape value has been processed by the wave editor module600.

When the customer goes to the wave page (FIG. 8A), an array of shapevalues is generated and plots are displayed with the previously selectedshape highlighted. FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method for generating apage of shapes. Based on the customer's input (such as from the searchterm or from manual entries) and the resulting wave shape generated fromthe wave generation module 400, the wave page generation module 500receives a list of parameters. These may include xValues, a list ofyValues, a list of iValues, the full scale yValue FSy, the PRC (page,row, column) mapping function, the number of rows (numRows) to begenerated, the number of columns (numCols) to be generated, the valuesof the first and last rows (firstRowValue, lastRowValue), the values ofthe first and last columns (firstColValue, lastColValue), and the rowand column offset values (step 900). When the user wishes to prevent adiscontinuity when a shape is to be repeated, the user may set the firstand last yValues to be equal. In such a case, the there will be a singlestate for the first and last yValues and it will remains constant acrosseach page.

To begin (step 902), an outer loop is initiated. Each row index isconverted to a rowValue. For example, in each row (step 904), theindividual rowValue may be calculated as:

${rowValue} = {{firstRowValue} + \frac{{rowIndex}*( {{lastRowValue} - {firstRowValue}} )}{{numRows} - 1}}$

(step 906).

Next, an inner loop is initiated. Each column index is converted to acolumn value. For example, in each column (step 908), the individualcolumn value may be calculated as:

${colValue} = {{firstColValue} + \frac{{colIndex}*( {{lastColValue} - {firstColValue}} )}{{numCols} - 1}}$

(step 910).

The first asterisk in the PRC mapping function is replaced with thecalculated row value (step 912) and the second asterisk in the PRCmapped value is replaced with the calculated column value (step 914). Ifa row offset, represented by a caret (“A”), is present, it is replacedby the calculated row value plus the offset value (step 916). If acolumn offset, represented by a greater-than symbol (“>”), is present,it is replaced by the calculated column value plus the offset value(step 918). It is understood that other suitable symbols could be usedin place of the stars and carets.

When the shape value is complete (step 920), the shape value is added tothe shape array (step 922). If there are shape values in further columnsto be calculated (step 924), the process returns to the beginning of thecolumn loop at step 908. When all of the columns are complete (step924), a determination is made as to whether there are shapes in furtherrows to be calculated (step 926). If so, the process returns to thebeginning of the row loop at (step 904); otherwise, the page is complete(step 928).

The displayed array (FIG. 8A) from the wave page module 500 representsone page (whose page number is indicated below the array) of a book ofpages that may be assembled by the wave book module 900. The customermay select the number of rows and the number of columns of shape plotsto be displayed as well as the values for the first and last rows andcolumns. For example, the array in FIG. 8A has six rows and six columns.Column values are labeled from left to right above the top row. Rowvalues are labeled from top to bottom to the left of the first column.Indexes from which values are derived may be indicated horizontallybelow the bottom row and vertically to the right of the last column asshown in FIG. 8A. It is understood that, whether labeled or not, rowindexes may run from zero at the top to the number of rows minus one atthe bottom or they may run from bottom to top, but for the defaultmethod used here rows run from top to bottom. By default, columns areindexed from left to right unless otherwise specified.

Beneath the displayed array is a line that includes, among otherinformation, the parameters of the page that is displayed: the number ofrows and columns (“6” and “6” in FIG. 8A), the x, y, and i parameters ofthe wave shapes in alpha format (“abbbb”, “c**dio”, “bbbbb”,respectively), and the full scale value of y (“FSy=25”). The decimalpage number is also displayed (“page 87” in FIG. 8A) and the customermay move to a different page by moving a slider or by clicking on ‘−’ or‘+’ buttons. The first and last pages of the book are illustrated inFIGS. 8B and 8C, respectively, for comparison. The decimal page numberis derived from a part of the mixed base number shown after yPRC. InFIG. 8A, the page value “di” equals the page index and represents “38 inbase 26” but converts to decimal 86, then increased by one to 87 becauseit is preferred that the decimal pages begin at one, not zero. Similarlyin FIG. 8B, the Page Index “aa represents zero in both base 26 and indecimal” but we add one. In FIG. 8C, the Page index “zz in Base 26”represents “decimal 676” from 25×26+25+1.

By default, the “Reduced States” box below and to the left of the arrayis unchecked such that the page base will be 26, resulting in 626 pages.If, instead, the box is checked, the page base will be 6, resulting in36 pages. However, it will be appreciated that the system may bedesigned to accommodate a page base of any value. While a large numberof pages may be become unwieldy in physical form, that is not the casewhen a book of pages is provided in electronic form. When the page baseis expressed as a mixed-base number, such as 1 2 3, the number of pageswill be the multiple of the individual bases; e.g., 1*2*3=6. Moreover,the length of the page base may be extended without changing themultiple by including the base 1.

If desired, the customer may insert comments in a footer below thearray.

The customer may also change the full scale y-value (FSy) by moving aslider and may change the x, y, or i values of a shape. In FIGS. 8A-8C,the xValues and iValues are controlled and held constant by the Bookvalue as indicated by the mapping relation xi Book abbbbb, bbbbbb. Thetwo positions of the yValue represented by asterisks are controlled bythe Row and Column values and vary by row and column on a page. Theother four positions are controlled by Page values and vary from page topage in the book. The first asterisk in the y value is replaced by therow value and the second asterisk is replaced by the column value. Itwill be appreciated that the asterisks may be placed in other positionsto represent other mapping relations.

Although by default each break point in a plotted shape value isidentified by a dot or other symbol and the points are connected bylines, the customer may choose to not display the connecting lines or tonot display identification symbols for the break points. Further, thecustomer may choose to display the row and column labels as alphacharacters instead of as decimal numbers.

A customer may want to generate an array in which all of the shapes havethe same width. Therefore, the customer may enter the width ‘S,’ thecode length ‘L’, and the minimum value ‘minVal’ or ‘α’ to generate aseries of values having equal sums. The number ‘N’ of values with equalsums may be calculated as:

$N = \frac{( {S - {\alpha L} + L - 1} )!}{\lbrack {( {S - {\alpha L}} ){!{( {L - 1} )!}}} \rbrack}$

One may also generate the array itself and count the number N ofentries. Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 13, to calculate each value‘C’ in an array T, the user may first enter an initial code of length L,C=(1:L), and a minVal (step 1300). Initial conditions are set: n=L andk=1 (step 1302). If n is not greater than 1 (step 1304), then theprocedure ends (step 1306). If n is greater than 1 (step 1304), adetermination is made as to whether C(n) is greater than the minVal(step 1308). If not, then n is decremented by 1 (step 1310). This loopis repeated while n is greater than 1 and C(n) is not greater thanminVal.

When C(n) is greater than the minVal (step 1308), C(n) is decremented by1 and C(n−1) is incremented by 1 (step 1312). Next, an array entry C iscalculated as C=C([1:n−1) [L:−1:n]) (step 1314). As a result, the code Cremains the same from 1 to n−1 but the code from n to L is reversed as(L L−1, n). For example, if L=6, n=4 and C initially is (1 2 3 4 5 6),then the new C is determined to be C=(1 2 3 6 5 4). Subsequently, n isreset to L, k is incremented by 1, and the k^(th) entry C is stored inthe array T (step 1316). The procedure then returns to compare n to 1(step 1304) and repeats as long as n remains greater than 1. When n isno longer greater than 1, the process ends (step 1306). If the firstcode C(1:L) is the numerically smallest code in the sequence, then atthe end of the process (step 1306), k will equal the number N of valueswith equal sums.

For example, given S=5, L=3, minVal=1, there will be six values in thearray T:

$N = {\frac{( {S - {\alpha L} + L - 1} )!}{\lbrack {( {S - {\alpha L}} ){!{( {L - 1} )!}}} \rbrack} = {\frac{\lbrack {( {5 - {1*3} + 3 - 1} )!} \rbrack}{\lbrack {( {5 - {1*3}} ){!{*( {3 - 1} )!}}} \rbrack} = {\frac{4!}{2{!{2!}}} = 6}}}$Beginning with C(1:L)=[1 1 3] the values in the array T resulting fromthe application of the procedure of FIG. 13 are: 1 1 3, 1 2 2, 1 3 1, 21 2, 2 2 1, 3 1 1. A page of shape values based on the array T is shownin TABLE V, with each cell providing a new code of S=10 and L=6 wherecontent of each cell begins with the row value and ends with the columnvalue. The resulting entries may, for an example, map to xValues withyValues and iValues mapped to Page and Book. Or the row and columnvalues also map conveniently to yValues with xValues and iValues mappedto Page and Book (such as xBook, iPage or iBook and xPage.)

TABLE V A 6 × 6 Page of Shape Values Values 113 122 131 212 221 311 113113 113 113 122 113 131 113 212 113 221 113 311 122 122 113 122 122 122131 122 212 122 221 122 311 131 131 113 131 122 131 131 131 212 131 221131 311 212 212 113 212 122 212 131 212 212 212 221 212 311 221 221 113221 122 221 131 221 212 221 221 221 311 311 311 113 311 122 311 131 311212 311 221 311 311

As with the other pages, after the customer is finished working with thewave page, the page may be saved or printed through the publicationmodule 1000, and a selected shape value may be saved, sent to theshopping cart, or sent to the wave editor. And, as with the other pages,the customer may use the tabs along the top of the page to move to thehome page, the wave editor page, the shape writer page, or the shoppingcart.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the wave book module 900. Asnoted above, a book of wave shapes may be displayed page by page usingthe wave page module 500. The user may select a shape value for editingwith the wave editor module 600. The user may select a shape value fromwhich to create a shape file definition. The shape file definition maythen be processed by the data file generation module 800 to generate adata file to be placed in the user's shopping cart for subsequentpurchase and export. The user may also select a shape value to be savedor choose to save the wave book definition.

When the shape writer module 700 is selected at the tab 700A, thecustomer may “write” one or more shapes directly on a blank graph form.Three such graphs are shown in FIG. 10. The customer may set the fullscale x and y values, FSx and FSy, of the graphs. Each shape may then be“written: by “typing” in a selected format the x, y, and i values foreach break point. As the customer writes the code values (types orotherwise selects characters) the break points and paths are illustratedon the graph simultaneously with the typed code values Each shape may beseparately saved, printed, or sent to the wave editor. The shape mayalso be overlaid with a saved shape or a separately defined shape. FIG.11 illustrates options that may be available to the user when using theshape writer module 700. When the customer has selected or defined ashape value definition and is ready to purchase a shape definition datafile for the shape value, the customer may select the shopping cart tab1100A from any of the displayed pages. The contents of the customer'sshopping cart will be displayed and the customer may choose to purchasethe selected wave products. After payment information has been entered,the data file generation module 800 may be initiated to convert theselected shape values into an exportable data file format. The resultingdata file(s) may then be exported through the publication module 1000 tothe customer using a removable storage device, such as a thumb drive orCD, or downloaded to the customer's computer, among other methods.

Referring back to the interconnectivity illustrated in FIG. 1B, thefollowing section summarizes the functionality, inputs, and outputs ofeach of the search, write, edit, and publication modules 400, 600, 700,1000, respectively. It will be appreciated that the summary is notexhaustive and that other functionality, inputs, and outputs, may beimplemented.

Search Module 400:

The search module 400 may generate shape values and wave pagedefinitions from entered search terms. The outputs provided to, andinputs from, other modules include:

-   -   Individual shape values generated from a search term may be sent        to the write module 700;    -   Individual shape values generated from a search term may be sent        to the edit module 600;    -   Individual shape values generated from a search term may be sent        to the publish module 1000 to create a book of shape values with        varying characteristics;    -   The first indexed shape value generated from a search term may        be automatically saved to a user's shape value history list;    -   Individual shape values generated from a search term may be        automatically saved to the user's saved shape list;    -   Individual shape values generated from a search term may be        automatically saved to the user's shopping cart 1100A;    -   Shape values may be searched and retrieved from the user's list        of saved shapes and displayed;    -   Shape values may be added to the list of saved shapes from the        write, edit, and publish modules 600, 700, 1000;    -   Shape values may be searched and retrieved from the user's        history list of saved shapes and displayed;    -   Shape values may be added to the history list from the write,        edit, and publish modules 600, 700, 1000;    -   Shape values may be searched and retrieved from the user's        shopping cart 1100A and displayed; and    -   Shape values may be added to the shopping cart 1100A from the        write, edit, and publish modules 600, 700, 1000.

Write Module 700:

The write module 700 may write shape values by inputting a valid shapevalue code, may create shape writer pages with multiple written shapevalues, and may compare shape values by providing functionality tooverlay one or more shape values. The outputs provided to, and inputsfrom, other modules include:

-   -   Individual shape values may be sent to the search module 400,        resulting in a search-driven list of related shape values;    -   Individual shape values may be sent to the edit module 600;    -   Individual shape values may be sent to the publish module 1000,        resulting in a book of shape values with varying        characteristics;    -   Individual shape values may be saved to the user's saved shape        list;    -   Individual shape values may be saved to the user's shopping cart        1100A;    -   Shape values may be loaded into the write module 700 from the        user's saved shape list;    -   Shape values may be added to the user's saved shape list from        the search, edit, and publish modules 400, 600, 1000;    -   Shape values may be loaded into the write module 700 from the        user's shape value history list;    -   Shape values may be added to the user's shape value history list        from the search, edit, and publish modules 400, 600, 1000;    -   Shape values may be loaded into the write module 700 from the        user's shopping cart 1100A; and    -   Shape values may be added to the user's shopping cart 1100A from        the search, edit, and publish modules 400, 600, 1000.

Edit Module 600

The edit module 600 may provide a canvas for moving, deleting, andadding individual break points to shape values and for modifyinginterpolation methods, shape widths, and full scale amplitudes. Theoutputs provided to, and inputs from, other modules include:

-   -   Edited shape values may be sent to the search module 400,        resulting in a search-driven list of related shape values;    -   Edited shape values may be sent to the write module 700;    -   Edited shape values may be sent to the publish module 1000,        resulting in a book of shape values with varying        characteristics;    -   Each iteration of an edited shape value may be saved to the        user's saved shape list;    -   Edited shape values may be saved to the user's shopping cart        1100A;    -   Shape values may be loaded into the edit module 600 from the        user's saved shape list;    -   Shape values may be added to the user's saved shape list from        the search, write, and publish modules 400, 700, 1000;    -   Shape values may be loaded into the edit module 600 from the        user's shape value history list;    -   Shape values may be added to the user's shape value history list        from the search, write, and publish modules 400, 700, 1000;    -   Shape values may be loaded into the edit module 600 from the        user's shopping cart 1100A; and    -   Shape values may be added to the user's shopping cart 1100A from        the search, write, and publish modules 400, 700, 1000.

Publish Module

The publish module 1000 may define a book of shape values. The outputsprovided to, and inputs from, other modules include:

-   -   Shape values may be sent to the search module 400, resulting in        a search-driven list of related shape values;    -   Shape values may be sent to the write module 700;    -   Shape values may be sent to the edit module 600;    -   When sent to another module, the shape value may be saved to the        user's shape history list;    -   Shape values may be saved to the user's saved shape list;    -   Shape values may be loaded into the publish module 1000 from the        user's saved shape list, resulting in a book of shape values        with varying characteristics;    -   Shape values may be added to the user's saved shape list from        the search, edit, and write modules 400, 600, 700;    -   Shape values may be loaded into the publish module 1000 from the        user's shape value history list, resulting in a book of shape        values with varying characteristics;    -   Shape values may be added to the user's shape value history list        from the search, edit, and write modules 400, 600, 700;    -   Shape values may be loaded into the publish module 1000 from the        user's shopping cart 1100A, resulting in a book of shape values        with varying characteristics; and    -   Shape values may be added to the user's shopping cart 1100A from        the search, edit, and write modules 400, 600, 700.

The description of the present invention has been presented for purposesof illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention, the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for searching, writing, editing, andpublishing waveform shape information, comprising: a display; aprocessor; a memory configured to store instructions executable by theprocessor, the instructions comprising instructions for: displaying onthe display a waveform shape comprising a plurality of breakpoints, eachbreakpoint defined by a pair of coordinates xValue, yValue and aninterpolation value iValue, the iValue defining a path from one breakpoint to a next break point, wherein the interpolation value isindependent of the interpolation values of other break points;displaying on the display customer-adjustable waveform shape parameters,the customer-adjustable parameters including the xValue, yValue, andiValue of the breakpoints of the displayed shape; receiving from thecustomer the customer-adjustable parameters; editing the displayedwaveform shape in response to the received parameters; and displaying onthe display the edited waveform shape.
 2. The system of claim 1, whereinthe instructions for receiving from the customer the customer-adjustableparameters comprise instructions for: receiving an input to move abreakpoint of the waveform shape; receiving an input to delete abreakpoint of the waveform shape; receiving an input to add a newbreakpoint to the waveform shape at received coordinates; and receivingan input to change an interpolation method defining a path from onebreak point to a next break point of the waveform shape.
 3. The systemof claim 1, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions forgenerating a shape data file from the value waveform shape information;and publishing the shape data file.
 4. A method for searching, writing,editing, and publishing waveform shape information, comprising:displaying a waveform shape comprising a plurality of breakpoints, eachbreakpoint defined by a pair of coordinates xValue, yValue and aninterpolation value iValue, the iValue defining a path from one breakpoint to a next break point, wherein the interpolation value isindependent of the interpolation values of other break points;displaying customer-adjustable waveform shape parameters, thecustomer-adjustable parameters including the xValue, yValue, and iValueof the breakpoints of the displayed shape; receiving from the customerthe customer-adjustable parameters; editing the displayed waveform shapein response to the received parameters; and displaying the editedwaveform shape.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: receivingan input to move a breakpoint of the waveform shape; receiving an inputto delete a breakpoint of the waveform shape; receiving an input to adda new breakpoint to the waveform shape at received coordinates; andreceiving an input to change an interpolation method defining a pathfrom one break point to a next break point of the waveform shape.
 6. Themethod of claim 4, further comprising: generating a shape data file fromthe waveform shape information; and publishing the shape data file.
 7. Asystem for searching, writing, editing, and publishing waveform shapeinformation, comprising: a display; a processor; and a memory configuredto store instructions executable by the processor, the instructionscomprising instructions for: generating on the display an illustrationof a waveform shape from a shape code value, the shape code valuedefining a plurality of break points from which the waveform shape isrepresented; receiving from a customer information to move, insert, anddelete break points; and receiving from the customer information toselect from a list of predefined interpolation code values, each ofwhich defines a path from one break point to a next break point, whereinthe predefined interpolation code values are independent of theinterpolation code values of other break points and interpolation codevalues outside an interval from one break point to the next break point.8. A method for searching, writing, editing, and publishing waveformshape information, comprising: displaying an illustration of a waveformshape from a shape code value, the shape code value defining a pluralityof break points from which the waveform shape is represented; receivingfrom a customer information to move, insert, and delete break points;receiving from the customer information to select from a list ofpredefined interpolation code values, each of which defines a path fromone break point to a next break point, wherein the predefinedinterpolation code values are independent of the interpolation codevalues of other break points and interpolation code values outside aninterval from one break point to the next break point.